6 months to 12 months: With the increase in your baby’s movements s/he enjoys the new found freedom and also experiences separation anxiety. So in order to gain comfort your little one may start clinging to certain things to soothe himself/herself.

13 months to 24 months: By the time the child is two years old, attachment to transitional objects may increase with the increase in separation anxiety. The child may realise that s/he is a separate individual from his/her parents. To bridge the gap between parents and self, the little one may cling to his/her favourite objects.

This is not something harmful for your baby. In fact, these transitional objects help the child to feel safe when s/he is anxious or stressed or frustrated.

Here are some tips for parents to cope with your baby’s transitional objects:

Buy safe toys for your baby. It is difficult to predict which object or toy your little one will cling on to. Prepare to take all the necessary precautions.

When your child gets attached to a particular object, there is a high possibility s/he might lose it and you have to face tearful consequences. So be prepared to get a duplicate or identical object, so that it can be used in the hour of emergency.

Try to make your child understand that s/he cannot take her favourite toy or blanket everywhere. Even then, if the child isn’t convinced, let him/her carry it around. This habit usually goes away with time.

Try to keep the child engaged in other activities like drawing or writing or art and craft works. Engage his/her attention in other activities that s/he finds interesting.

Do not force your child to let go off transitional objects. If the child feels that his/her favourite object is being forcibly taken away, s/he may get more attached to it. It is best to wait for the time when your little one is ready to give it up on his/her own.